News: Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has launched its weight loss drug Wegovy as a once-a-week injection in India.
About Weight Loss Drug – Wegovy
- It is a prescription weight loss drug developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
- It contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes but found to be highly effective for weight loss.
- It is administered as a once-weekly injection using a convenient pen device (FlexiPen or FlexTouch).
- The drug is approved by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, (CDSCO) in India strictly for obesity management and not for diabetes.
Working
- It is made of semaglutide, a GLP 1A receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, responsible for regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite and slowing down gastric emptying.
- It makes a person feel fuller for longer and eat less.
Other Weight Loss Drugs
- Ozempic is used more for diabetes management. The main difference between the two is the dose.
- Rybelsus is an oral pill for the same.
- Mounjaro is made up of tirzepatide, which mimics the function of natural hormones GIP and GLP-1.
- It has a double effect, of increasing insulin secretion in response to food intake and improving glucose control and weight loss.
